Sheppey Sea Cadets will be able to buy a new water craft thanks to a donation from a supermarket.

Tesco Charity Trust gave the group, which is based at Barton’s Point Coastal Park in Sheerness, a cheque for £2,725, which will be used to buy a second Trinity 500 rowing boat and oars.

The moulded plastic vessel takes a crew of four plus a coxswain and will enable more cadets to take to the waters, giving more young people the chance to gain British Rowing accredited qualifications as well allowing them to train for competitions.

The unit will also be able to offer its facilities to other sea cadet groups in west Kent.

Commanding Officer Lt Brian Moore, said: “I now hope that the unit will be able to secure funding to place an order for a third Trinity 500 next year which will help towards us gaining accreditation as a centre of excellence for sea cadet boating in west Kent.”